Keogh was elected to Newry Urban District Council, as a member of the Anti-Partition League of Ireland, and became Chairman in 1949, holding the post until 1958. He was succeeded by a war of Independence veteran, Tom Kelly, following the Irish Labour Party landslide. He held various posts in the Nationalist Party, including Secretary of the party's Executive from 1966. He was also elected Secretary of the Newry branch of Unity.[1]